Beveridge named AFL coach of the year

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has been named by his peers as coach of the season for guiding the side to their first grand final in 55 years.

Beveridge edged out the man who will be his adversary in Saturday’s grand final, Sydney’s John Longmire, to claim his second consecutive AFL Coaches Association (AFLCA) Allan Jeans senior coach of the year award on Tuesday evening.

Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron placed third after taking the Giants to their first finals series.

Beveridge, in just his second year as senior coach, guided the Bulldogs to a preliminary final win over the Giants on Saturday night, paving the way for the side to attempt to win their first flag since 1954.

“Luke’s is a terrific story,” AFLCA chief Mark Brayshaw said.

“Apart from being a first class person who’s admired by his peers, he’s also a well-qualified professional who worked successfully outside AFL circles having coached his own team in the Victorian amateur competition before entering the AFL system.

“Luke’s efforts this year – with great help from his coaching panel – are rightly acknowledged by the association.”

Former West Coast and Collingwood premiership coach Mick Malthouse – who started his senior coaching career at the Western Bulldogs – was added to the AFLCA’s coaching legend list.